By Dave Lord

A CONVICT out on licence stabbed a Perth homeowner after breaking into his house to steal crisps and biscuits.

The householder was left traumatised after he returned from work to find knife-wielding drug addict Paul Allan in his kitchen.

Career criminal Allan twice slashed the terrified resident after collecting a paltry haul which included a bottle of milk, 11 bags of crisps and three packets of biscuits.

Perth Sheriff Court yesterday heard how the 42-year-old had been taking valium and was “starving” before he broke into the flat on St Catherine’s Road by smashing a window with a brick.

Allan’s solicitor Angela Mullan said the attack was motivated purely by hunger.

The accused admitted breaking into the flat on July 20, soon after being released on licence in relation to a string of theft and house-breaking charges.

Allan—described as a prisoner in Perth —further pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of milk, 11 bags of crisps, three packets of biscuits, two plastic carrier bags, some deodorant and a knife.

Depute fiscal Chris Macintosh described how the complainer returned from work at around 11pm to find Allan crouching in his kitchen surrounded by snacks.

“The owner of the ground-floor flat home was a 44-year-old man,” he told the court.

“He had finished work in the centre of Perth at about 10.45pm and then walked home, getting in at the back of 11.

“He got to his front door and could see there was a light on within.

“The complainer knew he had switched off all the lights but was not overly concerned as a relative also had a key.

“He came into the dining room and, as he looked into the kitchen area, saw somebody crouching down.”

Mr Macintosh said the complainer went to confront Allan.

“He went to him and seized him around the arms and shoulders and pulled him almost to the ground,” the depute fiscal said.

“At that stage the complainer noticed the kitchen window was broken and that appears to have been the point of entry.

“There was a struggle on the kitchen floor and the accused said, ‘I have got a knife.’ ”

Mr Macintosh said the complainer then hesitated and let go of the accused, who brandished a six-inch knife he had taken from the nearby kitchen sink.

He twice “jabbed” the knife toward the complainer, who suffered lacerations to his hand.

“The accused then left the premises and the complainer contacted police,” Mr Macintosh added.

“The accused was traced after being captured on CCTV going into the hostel he was staying in at the time. He told police he was just looking for food as he was hungry.

“The complainer suffered two cuts to his hand, each half an inch long and running between the thumb and index finger.”

Mr Macintosh described the homeowner as being “traumatised” by the incident.

Ms Mullan insisted Allan—who has 30 previous convictions—is now ashamed of his actions.

“He very, very deeply regrets this offence,” the solicitor said.

“Mr Allan was indeed starving…and had taken some valium.

“He has a chequered record but no previous convictions for violent offences.

“This was an impulsive action although he does realise that cannot excuse his behaviour.

“Mr Allan is appalled by what he has done and wants to get out of prison and on the straight and narrow.”

However, that is not going to happen for some time as after the offence Allan’s licence was cancelled and he was returned to custody.

His earliest release date was to be January 2010. However, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis yesterday jailed him for a further 22 months, to run consecutive to his current jail term.

“Any homeowner coming in and finding someone in the house would suffer significant shock,” he said.

“If that person then picked up a knife it would obviously make you even more fearful.

“This is a serious offence…and I must also deal with it in the context of your previous convictions.”